“If Only For A Second” project gives cancer patients a brief moment of hilarity (VIDEO)

If Only For A Second is a photo project and art book that's dedicated to helping cancer patients feel carefree again, if only for a tiny moment of time. Each of the patients was lead in for a makeover, and instructed to keep their eyes shut until the final moment — a moment that was captured by a photographer hidden behind a one-way mirror. The twist? Rather than giving them a high-glamor makeover, they were given a totally ridiculous look, causing them to break down in fits of giggles.

20 cancer patients were invited to the project for the makeover in June, which was held in Brussels. Photographer Vincent Dixon captured their reactions, as they saw their images unveiled for the very first time. As project creators the Mimi Foundation describe it:

“You know what I miss the most ? being carefree.”
Here is the sentence that inspired the «if only for a second» project.
June 17th, 2013, at the initiative of the Mimi foundation
and in collaboration with leo Burnett france ,
20 cancer patients participated in a unique makeover experience.
They were invited to a studio where they got a makeover-their hair and makeup, But without being able to see themselves while they were being made up.
a photograph then immortalized the moment
when they opened their eyes to discover their new look.
This discovery allowed them to forget their disease, if only for a second.

The images were shown at an exhibition in November, and a book of the photos has now been released. The sales are being are donated to the Mimi Foundation, who organized the project. These photos, and that moment of delight, weren't meant to make the subjects feel suddenly glamorous or beautiful. But rather to give them a period of hilarity and joy, and forget about their illness, "if only for a second".

(via Metafilter)